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The next step for emergency contraception: over-the-counter availability.
1MGH Institute of Health Professions, Graduate Program in Nursing, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners : the International Journal of NPACE
|May 1, 2001
Summary
Emergency contraception pills offer a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. Improved access and public awareness are crucial for their timely use, especially in the United States.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Emergency contraception (EC) has historical roots and has evolved with modern hormonal methods since the 1960s.
- While widely used globally, EC is underutilized in the United States due to lack of routine prescription and inadequate patient information.
- The efficacy of EC pills is time-sensitive, necessitating prompt administration for optimal results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety and efficacy of emergency contraceptive pills.
- To explore the potential for over-the-counter availability of EC pills.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on the safety and efficacy of hormonal emergency contraception.
- Analysis of current prescribing practices and patient information dissemination in the United States.
- Discussion of regulatory pathways for making EC pills available without a prescription.
Main Results:
- Hormonal emergency contraceptive pills are established as safe and effective.
- There is a significant gap in the United States regarding provider prescription and patient awareness of EC availability.
- Recent efforts aim to increase public awareness, and specific oral contraceptive products are now marketed for EC.
Conclusions:
- Emergency contraceptive pills are a vital component of reproductive healthcare.
- Enhanced patient access and education are essential for effective utilization.
- Transitioning EC pills to over-the-counter status could improve accessibility and timely use.